Collagen, zinc & iron contents of rat skin irradiated with chronic low-dose X-ray.

The effects of very low-dose X-ray on collagen and Zn and Fe contents of rat skin were studied. CFS male rats were exposed to chronic, intermittent low dose X-radiation at the dose rate of 0.015 cGy/sec/day (7 days irradiation alternating with 7 days rest) for periods of three months and six months. Transmission electron microscopy showed hyalinization collagen on days 180 and 360 in the six months group. Atomic absorption spectrometry revealed significantly decreased zinc levels (P < 0.001) only on day 360 in six months group whereas iron increased significantly (P < 0.001) in all treated groups. This radiation induced redistribution of zinc and iron and subsequent changes in dermal collagen possibly confirm the hazardous effect of long term exposure to X-rays. Our findings also provide some information on the mammalian response threshold at low dose X-irradiation.